Senate Telemedicine Hearing

National VFW - 5/12/2017

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction,
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Thursday about
leveraging technology to increase access, improve health outcomes and
lower costs for VA through telemedicine. Telehealth allows veterans to
consult with medical providers without physically being in the same
location, and is complemented by remote monitoring of veterans with
certain conditions. Since VA awarded $258 million for a VA home
telehealth contract in February, Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran asked
panelists from VA to more thoroughly explain how VA intends to use the
contract to improve access to care. Testimony was also given by
telehealth experts from the private sector to explain how telehealth can
actually save money and time. Legislation to allow for the use of
telehealth across state lines if the veteran and doctor are outside of a
VA facility would have a significant impact on the successful expansion
of this program. Watch the video or read the testimony.